Performance of Maize-Blackgram Intercropping in Semi-Arid Region Of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment to study the performance of maize in pure cropping and different intercropping system was conducted at crop research farm of Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad during the kharif season of 2003. Among the various systems, intercroppng in additive series gave highest grain (59.41 q/ha) and maize equivalent yields (74.17). The increase over sole cropping of maize and intercropping in replacement series was, respectively 9 and 90 per cent in grain yield and 36 and 55 per cent in maize equivalent yield. In additive series, growing of maize in paired row and taking two rows of black gram in between two maize pairs gave maximum grain yield (60.38 q/ha). The highest gross returns (Rs. 45733.00/ha) and net returns (Rs. 25, 939.00/ha) were also registered with above treatment with next to highest benefit-cost ratio (2.30). This system also gave highest land equivalent ratio (1.43), indicating 43 per cent yield advantage over sole cropping.